Community activist accuses NamPost of denying accountability in pensioner’s fraud case

Community activist Shaun Gariseb has accused NamPost of refusing to take responsibility after money was allegedly stolen from pensioner Petrina Shikela’s (82) account.

Shikela, from Katutura Central, lost thousands after her funds were diverted to someone posing as her young husband earlier this year. NamPost has been investigating her case since the incident was reported.

However, Gariseb claims the fraud was an inside job.

Gariseb, who is assisting Shikela in finding justice, says a meeting was held on Thursday with NamPost’s forensic and corporate departments, including corporate manager Gladwin Groenewaldt, but instead of offering clarity or accountability, the institution allegedly shifted blame onto the pensioner.

“NamPost has refused to accept accountability in Ouma Petrina’s case and is protecting culprits in an internal robbery scheme by its workers targeting unsuspecting pensioners,” Gariseb claims in a social media post.

NamPost spokesperson Groenewaldt refutes Gariseb’s claim, saying the matter is still being investigated and that the company had a meeting with the pensioner this week.

“The matter is ongoing and NamPost wants to get to the bottom of the matter as soon as possible. We never said we are not taking any responsibility,” he told The Namibian.

Groenewaldt says they will release a report as soon as the matter is complete.

According to Gariseb, the investigation only focused on confirming whether N$20 000 had been withdrawn from Shikela’s account and did not investigate who made ATM withdrawals or who assisted in manipulating the account details.

“They admitted seeing CCTV footage showing the withdrawals, but refuse to share it with us. They could not answer basic questions, they came to the meeting unprepared with statements full of gaps,” he says.

Gariseb further alleges that NamPost claims it no longer has records from 2019, when Shikela’s account was first altered, nor from 2025, when money was withdrawn without her knowledge.

For him, the issue goes beyond one pensioner.

“We will keep fighting NamPost because we wonder how many other elderly people have been victims of these schemes without knowing,” Gariseb says. “Eighty-two-year-olds like Ouma Petrina are vulnerable. Not all of them have family members who can fight for them.”

Despite the frustration and lack of progress, Gariseb says Shikela remains resolute.

“Ouma is hurt, but she is strong. God is with her,” he adds.

Gariseb says the community will continue demanding transparency, accountability and restitution, not only for Shikela, but for any pensioner who may have suffered quietly.

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